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{{Infobox Military Person {{Infobox Military Person
|name= Filip Konowal |name= Filip Konowal
|lived= ], ] – ], ] |lived= 15 September 1888 – 3 June 1959
|placeofbirth= ], ] |placeofbirth= ], ]
|placeofdeath= ] |placeofdeath= ]
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|awards= ], ] (1914–1920), Victory Medal (1914–1919), George VI Coronation Medal (1937), ] (1953), entitled to the ], 4th Class |awards= ], ] (1914–1920), Victory Medal (1914–1919), George VI Coronation Medal (1937), ] (1953), entitled to the ], 4th Class
|laterwork= special custodian in the ] |laterwork= special custodian in the ]
}}{{use dmy dates}}
}}


'''Filip Konowal''' ] (], ] – ], ]) was a ] recipient of the ], the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to ] and ] forces. He is the only ] recipient of the VC. Konowal was born in ], Ukraine, in the ]. '''Filip Konowal''' ] (15 September 1888 – 3 June 1959) was a highly decorated ] soldier. He is the only ] recipient of the ], the highest military award given to ] and ] forces. He also received the ] (1914–1920), Victory Medal (1914–1919), George VI Coronation Medal (1937), ] (1953), entitled to the ], 4th Class.


He is the patron of ] Branch 360 (Konowal Branch) in ]. He is the patron of ] Branch 360 (Konowal Branch) in ].


===First World War===
==Konowal's act of heroism==
⚫ Konowal was born 15 September 1888 in ], Ukraine, in the ]. Konowal was 28 years old, and an Acting ] in the ] Battalion (later redesignated Western Ontario), ] during the ]. During the period 22–24 August 1917, at the ] in ], ], he performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.


====Citation====
⚫ Konowal was 28 years old, and an Acting ] in the ] Battalion (later redesignated Western Ontario), ] during the ]. The following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC, during the period ]–24, 1917, at the ] in ], ]. The citation was published in a supplement to the ] of ], ] (dated ], ]):<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=30400|supp=yes|startpage=12329|date=], ]|accessdate=2007-11-27}}</ref>
The citation was published in a supplement to the ] of 23 November 1917 (dated 26 November 1917):<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=30400|supp=yes|startpage=12329|date=23 November 1917|accessdate=2007-11-27}}</ref>


<blockquote><div>No. 144039 A./Cpl. Filip Konowal, Can. Inf. <blockquote><div>No. 144039 A./Cpl. Filip Konowal, Can. Inf.
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For most conspicuous bravery and leadership when in charge of a section in attack. His section had the difficult task of mopping up cellars, craters and machine-gun emplacements. Under his able direction all resistance was overcome successfully, and heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy. In one cellar he himself ]ted three enemy and attacked single-handed seven others in a crater, killing them all. For most conspicuous bravery and leadership when in charge of a section in attack. His section had the difficult task of mopping up cellars, craters and machine-gun emplacements. Under his able direction all resistance was overcome successfully, and heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy. In one cellar he himself ]ted three enemy and attacked single-handed seven others in a crater, killing them all.


On reaching the objective, a machine-gun was holding up the right ], causing many casualties. Cpl. Konowal rushed forward and entered the emplacement, killed the crew, and brought the gun back to our lines. On reaching the objective, a machine-gun was holding up the right flank, causing many casualties. Cpl. Konowal rushed forward and entered the emplacement, killed the crew, and brought the gun back to our lines.


The next day he again attacked single-handed another machine-gun emplacement, killed three of the crew, and destroyed the gun and emplacement with ]s. The next day he again attacked single-handed another machine-gun emplacement, killed three of the crew, and destroyed the gun and emplacement with ]s.
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The ] in Ottawa purchased Konowal's Victoria Cross and other medals in 1969. The ] in Ottawa purchased Konowal's Victoria Cross and other medals in 1969.


The medal went missing sometime in the 1970s, apparently stolen, and was sold to an antique shop along with some Hawaiian coins in the mid-1990s. The shop owner believed the medal was a fake, as it was inscribed with "For Valour" – evidently not realizing that all VCs awarded to Canadians had the English motto. (The source of confusion was the fact that a new ] was introduced into the Canadian Honours System in 1993, bearing the Latin motto ''Pro Valore''). The medal was rediscovered when the shop owner offered it to the Jeffrey Hoare Auction House in ] in April 2004. A British collector discovered the auction and notified ], co-author of a booklet about Konowal, who took steps to have the medal secured.<ref>Lubomyr Luciuk, "", in ''Ukrainian Weekly''.</ref> It was recovered by police, and returned to permanent display at the War Museum on ], ], 87 years after it was awarded. The medal went missing sometime in the 1970s, apparently stolen, and was sold to an antique shop along with some Hawaiian coins in the mid-1990s. The shop owner believed the medal was a fake, as it was inscribed with "For Valour" – evidently not realizing that all VCs awarded to Canadians had the English motto. (The source of confusion was the fact that a new ] was introduced into the Canadian Honours System in 1993, bearing the Latin motto ''Pro Valore''). The medal was rediscovered when the shop owner offered it to the Jeffrey Hoare Auction House in ] in April 2004. A British collector discovered the auction and notified ], co-author of a booklet about Konowal, who took steps to have the medal secured.<ref>Lubomyr Luciuk, "", in ''Ukrainian Weekly''.</ref> It was recovered by police, and returned to permanent display at the War Museum on 23 August 2004, 87 years after it was awarded.


== Notes == == Notes ==
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== References == == References ==
* Lubomyr Y. Luciuk and Ron Sorobey. ''Konowal: a Canadian Hero'', 2nd ed. Kingston, Ontario: Kashtan Press for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 360, 2000. ISBN 1-896354-24-6. * Lubomyr Y. Luciuk and Ron Sorobey. ''Konowal: a Canadian Hero'', 2nd ed. Kingston, Ontario: Kashtan Press for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 360, 2000. ISBN 1-896354-24-6.
* Mitch Potter (], ]) "". ''TheStar.com''. URL accessed ], ]. * Mitch Potter (13 October 2007) "". ''TheStar.com''. URL accessed 13 October 2007.


==External links== ==External links==

Revision as of 08:50, 4 March 2009

Filip Konowal
Portrait commissioned for the Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
AllegianceImperial Russia, Canada
Years of service1915–1919
RankSergeant
Unit77th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 47th (British Columbia) Battalion Canadian Infantry, 1st Canadian Reserve Battalion, Canadian Forestry Corps Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force, Governor General's Foot Guards
Battles / warsBattle of Hill 70
AwardsVictoria Cross, British War Medal (1914–1920), Victory Medal (1914–1919), George VI Coronation Medal (1937), Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953), entitled to the Cross of St George, 4th Class
Other workspecial custodian in the Office of the Prime Minister

Filip Konowal VC (15 September 1888 – 3 June 1959) was a highly decorated Ukrainian Canadian soldier. He is the only Ukrainian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military award given to British and Commonwealth forces. He also received the British War Medal (1914–1920), Victory Medal (1914–1919), George VI Coronation Medal (1937), Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953), entitled to the Cross of St George, 4th Class.

He is the patron of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 360 (Konowal Branch) in Toronto.

First World War

Konowal was born 15 September 1888 in Kutkivtsi, Ukraine, in the Russian Empire. Konowal was 28 years old, and an Acting Corporal in the 47th (British Columbia) Battalion (later redesignated Western Ontario), Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. During the period 22–24 August 1917, at the Battle of Hill 70 in Lens, France, he performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Citation

The citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 23 November 1917 (dated 26 November 1917):

No. 144039 A./Cpl. Filip Konowal, Can. Inf.

For most conspicuous bravery and leadership when in charge of a section in attack. His section had the difficult task of mopping up cellars, craters and machine-gun emplacements. Under his able direction all resistance was overcome successfully, and heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy. In one cellar he himself bayonetted three enemy and attacked single-handed seven others in a crater, killing them all.

On reaching the objective, a machine-gun was holding up the right flank, causing many casualties. Cpl. Konowal rushed forward and entered the emplacement, killed the crew, and brought the gun back to our lines.

The next day he again attacked single-handed another machine-gun emplacement, killed three of the crew, and destroyed the gun and emplacement with explosives.

This non-commissioned officer alone killed at least sixteen of the enemy, and during the two days' actual fighting carried on continuously his good work until severely wounded.

Honours

Filip Konowal's standard Commonwealth War Graves Commission gravestone, adjacent to his wife Juliette's family monument. It is inscribed "Filip Konowal V·C / Corporal / 47 Battn C·E·F / 3 June 1959 Age 72", with a simple Christian cross above and the Victoria Cross below.

Konowal's Victoria Cross medal was personally presented by King George V, and he was promoted to sergeant.

He was also awarded the British War Medal (1914–1920), Victory Medal (1914–1919), George VI Coronation Medal (1937), Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953), and entitled to the Cross of St George, 4th Class, from Russia.

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 360 (Konowal Branch) in Toronto made him its patron in 1953. The Legion helped established the Konowal Prize, an annual scholarship grant at the Royal Military College of Canada.

Konowal died in 1959 at Hull, Quebec, aged 72. He was buried at Notre Dame de Lourdes Cemetery, Ottawa, under a headstone in section A, lot 502.

In 1996 Konowal's headstone was replaced by an upright marker, and memorial plaques were unveiled:

The Victoria Cross medal

Konowal's medals at the Canadian War Museum. From the left: the Victoria Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal, George VI Coronation Medal, Elizabeth II Coronation Medal

The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa purchased Konowal's Victoria Cross and other medals in 1969.

The medal went missing sometime in the 1970s, apparently stolen, and was sold to an antique shop along with some Hawaiian coins in the mid-1990s. The shop owner believed the medal was a fake, as it was inscribed with "For Valour" – evidently not realizing that all VCs awarded to Canadians had the English motto. (The source of confusion was the fact that a new Canadian VC was introduced into the Canadian Honours System in 1993, bearing the Latin motto Pro Valore). The medal was rediscovered when the shop owner offered it to the Jeffrey Hoare Auction House in London, Ontario in April 2004. A British collector discovered the auction and notified Lubomyr Luciuk, co-author of a booklet about Konowal, who took steps to have the medal secured. It was recovered by police, and returned to permanent display at the War Museum on 23 August 2004, 87 years after it was awarded.

Notes

  1. "No. 30400". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 23 November 1917.
  2. Lubomyr Luciuk, "The prodigal medal returns", in Ukrainian Weekly.

References

External links

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